In: Chemistry
Which one of these salts will form a basic solution on dissolving in water?
A. NaCl
B. KCN
C. NaNO3
D. NH4NO3
E. FeCl3
Consider the structure of acids and bases. Acids are generally
of the form AH, with conjugate bases of A-. Bases are often of the
form BOH, with conjugate acids of B+.
Strong acids/bases have weak conjugate bases/acids, and weak
acids/bases have strong conjugate bases/acids
a) NaCl. Na+ is a conjugate acid of NaOH, a strong base. Cl- is the
conjugate base of HCl, a strong acid. they are about equal in
strength, so the solution is neutral
b) KCN. K+ is a conjugate acid of KOH, a strong base. CN-
is the conjugate base of HCN, a weak acid. CN- must be a stronger
base than K+ is a strong acid, so the solution is
basic.
c) NaNO3. Na+ is a conjugate acid of NaOH, a strong base. NO3- is
the conjugate base of HNO3 (nitric acid), a strong acid. They will
be about equal in strength, so the solution will be neutral
d) NH4NO3. NH4+ (ammonium) is the conjugate acid of NH3 (ammonia),
a moderately strong base. NO3- is the conjugate base of HNO3
(nitric acid), a strong acid. Ammonium is a stronger acid than
Nitrate is a base, so the solution will be acidic.
E. FeCl3- Fe3+ and 3Cl-. This solution will be neutral